Announcing... The Rankin File!

I've started a new website, and what better day to officially announce it than on my birthday? The Rankin File offers 'small business tech and tips' for those who run their own business. If you have a home-based business, a small business with employees, or you're even thinking about starting your own business, The Rankin File is for you! And as the name suggests, it's not just for business owners. If you're a secretary, office manager, or wannabe techie, my tips will help you score points with the boss. Read on to learn more about what you'll find in the Rankin File...

The Rankin File - Small Business Tech and Tips

At my newest website, RankinFile.com, anyone who owns or works at a small business will find tips to solve problems, save money, boost productivity, and do business online.

Most home and small businesses don't have an IT Department, so you can use the Rankin File to find how-to tips to solve your hardware and software problems. You'll also learn about free online services that can help your business save money and facilitate collaboration. And when it comes to selling online, I'll be offering tips to help you launch, build, and market your business website.

I've been selling stuff online since 1994, so I've learned a few things about online sales, marketing, advertising and ecommerce along the way.
I started by offering $5 ebooks that explained how to use the Internet, search engines and other online research tools. In 1995, I began publishing The Internet Tourbus, one of the first ad-sponsored email newsletters. In 1998, I launched Flowers Fast, an online florist service.

Since then, I've created a range of websites that sell products or make money through advertising. I'm a computer programmer by training, but my passion is explaining computers, technology and the Internet through the written word. At the Rankin File, I will continue to share my tips and advice, with a focus on helping others who are involved in home-based or small businesses.

What's in The Rankin File?

Here's a sample of what's available now at The Rankin File...

Are You Protecting Your Online Reputation? -- Does it matter what people are saying about you online? If someone is posting unkind, unflattering, or downright false comments about your or your business, it may matter a lot. Your online reputation is at least as valuable as your offline reputation, and much easier to keep tabs on. You might be surprised at how much personal information can be found about you in cyberspace. Here's how to track and defend your online reputation...

How to Save Time and Money with Alternatives to Printing -- Printing is old-school. Aside from wasting paper, killing trees, and spending more than $300 a gallon on printer ink, you're also creating a stack of pages that you'll have to do something with. Here are some ways to minimize those hard copies, as well as the associated filing, and tedious searching tasks.

Eight Free Cloud Services You Should Know About -- Cloud services can simplify your digital life, and most of them offer free options. If you don't enjoy installing and maintaining software, or you're sometimes frustrated that the information you want is only available on the computer back at your home or office, then you'll benefit by using the cloud for email, word processing, file storage, backups other tasks.

Stop Unwanted and Annoying Phone Calls -- A recent study found that unwanted phone calls are not just annoying, but costly as well. It costs small businesses in the USA $500 million a year to handle instrusive telemarketing and so-called 'spam calls'. Here are some tips and tools to fight back.

Seven Alternatives to Quickbooks -- QuickBooks is the most popular small business accounting software. But it’s expensive: $150 to $200 for the desktop Pro version and more if you need advanced functions. Here are some free and cheap alternatives to QuickBooks that may serve the needs of your business equally well.

You can find these and other helpful articles at the Rankin File website, but I recommend that you sign up for the Rankin File Newsletter, to get notified when new articles are published each week. Hope to see you there!

What small business topics would YOU like to see me cover at the Rankin File? Post your comment or question below...

Most recent comments on "Announcing... The Rankin File!"

Happy Birthday Bob! Thank you so much for all the help you give. God bless you on the newest endeavor with the Rankin File.

Posted by:
Pat
17 Mar 2014

Happy Birthday! And remember, birthdays are nature's way of saying "Eat more cake."

Posted by:
Conrad
17 Mar 2014

Happy Birthday Bob, and what a day to celebrate properly. (smile)I've been with you since the old Tourbus days and still look forward to your wisdom. Thank you and have a great day and future.

Posted by:
Stan
17 Mar 2014

I've learned more from your website in the past few years even after 45 years of my working with computers. A very real heartfelt Thanks for your easy to understand and to the point explanations for all types of issues with these beasts.
I look forward to your new site to also help me with my business issues.

Posted by:
Buffet
17 Mar 2014

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Bob!
(I'm off to check out Flowers Fast now.)

Posted by:
Russ
17 Mar 2014

Happy Birthday

Posted by:
pete
17 Mar 2014

Happy Birthday, Bob, & many, many more.

Posted by:
Lori
17 Mar 2014

Happy Birthday Bob!!

Continued success with the new website.
I've looked forward to each letter for years and will continue to do so with Rankin File - great name by the way!

Posted by:
O. Lamoree
18 Mar 2014

Happy Birthday! and thanks for the opportunity to learn even more from you. I don't have a business but I am sure that there are items that you explain that I can't live without. Good Luck.

Posted by:
peteh
18 Mar 2014

congrats & happy birthday bob. I have been an avid follower of ask bob for years. Any time I have a problem or computer or tech question I go to you first. I have got great, honest and unbiased info that almost always solves my problem. You are the best that I have found on the internet to help people like me with little knowledge maintain my computer at no cost. you are very easy for an ordinary person like me to understand and have helped me with many problems and saved me $$$. Keep up the great work. I have subscribed right away to the rankin file. thanks for all your past and future help

Posted by:
TheRube
18 Mar 2014

WOW! Mr. Rankin!

I just checked out your new website and now I want to go ahead with my plan to open up a new small business with the knowledge I will always have a helping hand (with You!)

Congratulations to the new website and I KNOW that it will receive a lot of Traffic!!!

TR

Posted by:
Bob Crawford
18 Mar 2014

Happy Birthday! I like the way you present things, your creativity, your wit and your savvy with tech and apparently people. Thanks

Posted by:
youqt
18 Mar 2014

It is really good news! Even in your Birthday! May God with you!

Posted by:
MmeMoxie
18 Mar 2014

Happy Birthday, Bob!!! Now, you know that I am one of your biggest fans and will support you, in this new adventure, too!!! I think, that I will "sign up" for this new webpage. I may not have a small business, but, I always love to learn, from the best.

What a growth transition ... The Tourbus, to the Internet Tourbus, to Ask Bob Rankin to The Rankin File. I am so happy for you and can't wait to start receiving my "new" newsletter, from The Rankin File!!!

Posted by:
MmeMoxie
18 Mar 2014

Happy Birthday, Bob!!! Now, you know that I am one of your biggest fans and will support you, in this new adventure, too!!! I think, that I will "sign up" for this new webpage. I may not have a small business, but, I always love to learn, from the best.

What a growth transition ... The Tourbus, to the Internet Tourbus, to Ask Bob Rankin to The Rankin File. I am so happy for you and can't wait to start receiving my "new" newsletter, from The Rankin File!!!

Posted by:
Dave Moran
18 Mar 2014

Happy Birthday and best of luck. I have a neighbor with a small business and am going to subscribe to show to him to see if he can see the value that you willingly give.

Posted by:
Glenda Oakley
18 Mar 2014

Happy Birthday Bob!!Sounds like a a great new site you have there....great name!!!

Posted by:
Hanafi
18 Mar 2014

Happy birthday Bob. More people like you will make the world better

Posted by:
Lon Johnson
18 Mar 2014

Happy Birthday and Congratulations on the new website, Bob! You are the best on the web at "explaining computers, technology and the Internet through the written word".

Posted by:
Deb
25 Mar 2014

Happy Birthday (a little late)!!

Thank you for sharing all your awesome computer wisdom! I am really looking forward to business tips now. I have followed you for many years - Tourbus and Steve & Johnny's Website Wednesday where there was 'never a dumb computer question' and you made it so simple to understand! (did not get much sleep on those Wednesdays) Looking forward to many many more years!

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